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Abstract: Phytochemicals from Elaeis guineensis shell waste can be a source of starting materials in pharmaceutical and food processing industries. Since time immemorial, truckload of Elaeis guineensis shell are being treated as solid waste and the wasted shells are sometimes used by traditional herbalist who believe in the superstition working power of the shell in the treatment of some illness which is attributed to god of Satan (esu) in Southwest geopolitical zone in Nigeria. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition of the methanolic extract of Elaeis guineensis shell waste for the presence of active phytochemicals and to scientifically validate its medicinal actions which was misunderstood by traditional herbalist based on superstition. The result of the phytochemical analysis in this present study revealed the presence of phenolics (11.4 ± 0.2g/100g), flavonoids (5.67 ± 0.23 g/100g), tannins (6.67 ± 0.12 g/100g), terpenoids (4.53 ± 0.12 g/100g), saponins (1.99 ± 0.01 g/100g) and alkaloids (1.81 ± 0.03 g/100g). Quantitatively, the phenolics content was found to be the highest (11.4 ± 0.2g/100g) in the sample while the alkaloids content was the least (1.81 ± 0.03 g/100g). Thus, our finding nullifies the traditional herbalist superstitious believe about Elaeis guineensis shell waste and suggests a baseline information that ethanolic shell extract of Elaeis guineensis contain phytochemicals that possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties and the extract could possibly be used in the management of wound in traditional medicine because of the key functions of those phytochemicals reported in the past and present documented literatures. The ultimate utilization of this shell waste should be encouraged in order to enhance solid waste management as well as pollution control and thus converting waste to estimable material.

Keywords: Alkaloids, Elaeis guineensis, methanolic extract, phenolic, phytochemical analysis, waste.

Title: EXTRACTION AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF Elaeis guineensis SHELL WASTE

Author: Stephen Sunday EMMANUEL, Ademidun Adeola ADESIBIKAN

ISSN 2350-1030

International Journal of Recent Research in Physics and Chemical Sciences (IJRRPCS)

Paper Publications